By Olivia Shumaker
Special Writer for The Review
Lake Orion Dragons have the honor of visiting the nation’s capitol with recognition as business professionals, that is, Lake Orion High School’s Business Professionals of America.
Juniors Garrett Ackner, Tyler Jackson and Adrian Lupusoru will head to the national competition next Monday, May 8, in Washington D.C. against talent from across the country. All of this is in preparation for future business careers.
BPA, a branch of a state and a national organization of the same name, is ‘For all students interested in a business career,? said Jennifer Ohlrich, teacher/sponsor for the group.
In BPA competitions, there are four event categories: Financing, Technology, Marketing and Managing, and Administrative Support. Competitions involve students displaying a variety of business related skills within the event categories. Main events can include speeches or, in computer based events, displays of graphic design.
In open events students frequently take multiple choice tests within their categories, which include topics such as human resource, covering information that an office employee would know. This is all in an effort to test their background knowledge in areas of the business world.
‘For people who thinking of going into business, it teaches you how to dress and how to behave around other professionals,? said Adrian Lupusoru, a student in BPA.
Students choose what areas to compete in, starting with open competitions before moving on to regional competitions, in which the top four or five competitors can move on to state competitions, meaning a trip to Grand Rapids for Lake Orion.
‘Depending on the event you choose, it could be very difficult or very easy,? said Tyler Jackson, a member of BPA.
The top three students from state competitions then move on to national competitions. ‘My students competed against very good competition from across the state,? Ohlrich said.
This year, all three national Michigan competitors are Lake Orion students.
‘A lot of schools give automatic scholarships for being involved,? said Ackner.
Ackner, Jackson, and Lupusoru are all busy preparing for their national competition, where they will further display the skills they learned in Business Professionals of America.